Sunday, August 28, 2011

When New Orleans Square was added in Disneyland, Walt Disney wanted to put in a private club at which he and other dues-paying members could entertain. Unfortunately he was not able to see it completed, but the club was finished and is now a members-only club that occupies much of the second floor of New Orleans Square. It is called Club 33 for its address, 33 Rue Royale.

A second Club 33 is located in Tokyo Disneyland. Rather than being located in New Orleans Square, it is located on Center Street of World Bazaar. Members of Disneyland's Club 33 do not have reciprocal privileges in Tokyo Disneyland's Club 33.

Just Push Play and Have a Great Dinner! It'll be a wonderful night with your beloved one :)

To enter Club 33, a guest must press a buzzer on an intercom concealed by a hidden panel in the doorway. (At one time, a member needed only to insert his/her membership card in a slot near the buzzer and the door would open. However, this process no longer works.) A receptionist will ask for their name over the intercom and, if access is granted, open the door to a small, ornate lobby. Guests have the option of going to the dining level via an antique-style glass lift. The lift is an exact replica of one Disney saw and fell in love with during a vacation in Paris, but the owner of the original refused to sell. Undaunted, Disney sent a team of engineers to the Parisian hotel to take exact measurements for use in the creation of a replica; even a sample of the original finish was taken so that it could be duplicated. A staircase to the second level wraps around the lift.

The second level has two dining rooms. One room (the Trophy Room) has dark wood paneling; the other room (the Main Dining Room) is more formal but has a lighter environment.

Once at the dining level, guests can view antique furniture pieces collected by Lillian Disney. The walls are adorned, in part, with butterflies pinned under glass and hand-painted animation cels from the original Fantasia film. Walt Disney also handpicked much of the Victorian bric-a-brac in New Orleans antique stores.

The club is also furnished with props from Disney films. There is a fully functional glass telephone booth just off the lift that was used in The Happiest Millionaire and an ornate walnut table with white marble top that was used in Mary Poppins. A video capture from the film on display atop the table shows actors Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber and David Tomlinson standing immediately to its left. A newly-installed bar prepares drinks for members and their guests.

A harpsichord which was rumored to have been an antique was in fact custom-built for Lillian Disney specifically for use in Club 33. The underside of the lid features a Renaissance-style painting that was actually done by Disney artists. Elton John has played this harpsichord, and it can be played by anyone who sits at it.

Walt Disney also wanted to make use of Audio-Animatronic technology within Club 33. Microphones in overhead lighting fixtures would pick up the sounds of normal conversation while an operator would respond via the characters. Though the system was never fully implemented, it was partially installed and remains so to this day. An Audio-Animatronic vulture is perched in one corner of the club's "Trophy Room." The microphones are clearly visible at the bottom of each of the room's lighting fixtures. The animal trophies (Walt inherited them from a friend), for which the room was named, have been removed by Disney family members. Photos of the room with the trophies still installed can be seen on the walls now.

In the dining room area one may walk through a door leading to the balcony. The balcony overlooks the water in the New Orleans area of the park. The shows often put on there are also very visible from the balcony.

Disneyland guests participating in the "Walk In Walt's Footsteps" tour are provided entrance to the lobby of Club 33. The tour guide will provide a brief history of the club and explain some of the artifacts in the lobby. The tour members may be photographed in the lift, but are not allowed upstairs.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Disneyland's 5-ton, 10-foot high petrified tree stump in Frontierland was an "anniversary present" that Walt jokingly gave to his wife, Lillian. She later donated the tree to the park, where it was given its spot overlooking the Rivers of America.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

On August 24th 1914, en route to the war in Europe, Lieutenant Harry Colebourn purchased a black bear cub at White River, Ontario, for $20 from a hunter who had killed its mother. He called her Winnie after his home town Winnipeg. Lt. Colebourn took her with him to England, where his regiment, the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade, was in training on Salisbury Plain. The bear became the pet of the soldiers and the mascot of the regiment. She was left at the Zoo for safekeeping on December 9th 1914 by Lt. Colebourn, when his regiment went to fight in France.

Lt. Colebourn’s original intention was to take Winnie back to Canada with him when the war was over; he would often visit her at the Zoo when on leave from the battle zones in France. However, when the war ended, Lt. Colebourn donated Winnie to London Zoo in appreciation of the care that had been taken of her in those years, and in recognition that Winnie had become a great favourite with visitors.

The author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin frequently came to see Winnie. Milne decided to name his fictional character, Pooh Bear, after her, and so Winnie the Pooh was born.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Although it didn't happen on a mountaintop in Tennessee, it was on this day in 1927 that Fess Parker was born in Fort Worth, Texas, a man who would become synonymous with the "king of the wild frontier." And incidentally, tomorrow marks the birthday of the real-life Davy Crockett, whom Fess portrayed beginning in 1954. While he had a successful film and television career, including several movies for Disney, as well as great success with his Fess Parker Winery, it was his role as Davy Crockett that started a national craze and for which he is best remembered. From pajamas to lunchboxes to coloring books, Fess as Davy was everywhere. Replicas of his trademark coonskin cap were the most popular of the merchandise, and Fess' original coonskin cap remains on display at the Disney Archives. Shortly before he passed away, Fess published a letter for his fans on his website that acknowledged how grateful he was for his life well lived and the millions of fans who appreciated his talents. "From the moment Davy Crockett was released, my life changed in ways I could never have imagined and I can honestly tell you that I have never once taken the experience for granted," he said. "For the better part of 55 years I have been on the receiving end of the experience of a lifetime and I am grateful for your continued appreciation and enjoyment of the films and support of our family projects."

Monday, August 15, 2011

The Disney Wonder was built at Fincantieri Shipyards in Venice, Italy (the largest shipyard/naval engineering complex in the Mediterranean)

In true Disney style, the inaugural christening was spectacular ... with the huge ship pulling into the dock as Disney cast members dressed in outfits reminiscent of the early days of transatlantic crossings paraded before the crowds. Vintage automobiles wheeled about, ladies in picture-perfect hats pranced and live music sparkled through the air. Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, sang; Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner spoke and the newly appointed godfather and godmother of the ship .. Roy Disney, Vice Chairman and animation chief, and his wife Patty Disney were on hand for the festivities. Patty Disney sent a 3-foot tall bottle of champagne smashing into the ship's hull with a flip of a switch ... suddenly doves began to fly, kites soared past the ship pulled by small power boats and fireworks blazed from all sides. The Walt Disney Co. let us all know that this ship, The Disney Magic is different from all others. It is designed to be a true modern classic of the seas that celebrates the legendary ocean liners of the 1930's. Even the portholes, which are once again round, are whimsically large. The plans call for a sister ship, The Disney Wonder to be in operation sometime in 1999.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi has written songs for such Disney recording acts as Hilary Duff, Raven-Symoné, Ashley Tisdale, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato. Two of her songs also appear on the Camp Rock Soundtrack.

"What I’ve learned about writing pop music is that, despite all the changes in technology, the art of crafting a great song hasn’t really changed."

-DioGuardi

DioGuardi also wrote and sang the backup vocals for Demi Lovato's song "The Middle" for her first album, Don't Forget.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

In 1987, Disneyland veteran Chuck Abbott conceived and initiated the Cast Member seeing-eye dog fund, which became a highly successful volunteer group.

August 10, 1955:
Chuck Abbott begins work at Disneyland as a ride operator on the Autopia. Abbott has to really pay attention - as there is no track on the attraction (at this time) and drivers frequently crash into anything and everything - including Cast Members! (He will go on to become a foreman at Disneyland for 36 years and be named a Disney Legend in 2005 - a first for an hourly theme park Cast Member.)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

"Castle Thunder" - a thunderclap originally recorded for the 1931 film Frankenstein, has been featured in countless movies and TV shows. The famous sound effect can also be heard every day at Disneyland and Walt Disney World ... in the Haunted Mansion!

Push Play to hear the Thunder's sound

2009:

Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Merchandise Event takes place at Disneyland. The sold-out event includes admission into Disney’s California Adventure after 6:30 PM and Disneyland after 9 PM, a Haunted Mansion seminar, a wedding "Feast or Famine" dinner, and of course a ride through the Haunted Mansion!

A family from Santa Clarita, California spend the night in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion on the attraction's 40th anniversary!

2010:

'Castle Thunder' Effect

Castle thunder is a sound effect that consists of the sound of a loud thunderclap during a rainstorm. It was originally recorded for the 1931 version of the horror film Frankenstein. It has been used in many movies from the 1940s to the 1980s, in Disney and Hanna-Barbera cartoons, and on TV series such as Gilligan's Island. It was retired from regular film use around 1985, although it is occasionally used in 1990s and 2000s animation shows as an "in-joke" to amuse film history buffs.

History of 'Castle Thunder'

After its 1931 use in Frankenstein, the effect was used in many films from the 1930s until the 1980s and occasionally in the 1990s and 2000s, including Citizen Kane, Cleopatra, The Hindenburg, The Rescuers, An American Tail, The Fox and the Hound, The Brave Little Toaster, Ghostbusters, Dinosaurus!, Airplane!, The Muppet Movie, Murder by Death, Kronos, Twilight Zone: The Movie, History of the World Part 1, Clue, Back to the Future, Big Trouble in Little China, Trading Places, Short Circuit, The Land Before Time, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, The Reluctant Dragon, Snoopy Come Home, The Monster Squad, Beethoven, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Death Becomes Her, Prophecy, Escape from Alcatraz, 'Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Sleeping Beauty, Chicken Little, Die Hard: With a Vengeance, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, The Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, Make Mine Music, The Aristocats, Pete's Dragon, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Ben and Me, The Little House, Noah's Ark, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Swiss Family Robinson, Savage Sam, Robin Hood, Bambi, Lady and the Tramp, The Great Mouse Detective, Conan the Destroyer, Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf, Scooby-Doo and the Monster of Mexico, The Secret of NIMH, Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School, Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers, Space Jam, Scooby-Doo and the Legend of the Vampire, Tom and Jerry: Shiver Me Whiskers, ,First Blood, The Sound of Music and Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman.

Monday, August 8, 2011

When Walt Disney was growing up, he was very close to his parents, especially his mother. He never disliked her. Flora even agreed to help Walt get into the Red Cross at the time of World War I, even though he was underage. Walt's father was more strict, and there were times that he and Walt clashed.

1918: A young Walt Disney forges his parents' signatures to enlist in the American Ambulance Corps (part of the Red Cross). He changes his birth from 1901 to 1900. See the details above!

Walt Disney in the American Ambulance Corps

The summer of 1918 was the best that Walt had known. His hours for the post office were long, but there was no drudgery to the work, and he was outdoors most of the time. At night he took girls from McKinley High School to movies and vaudeville shows.

For the first time in his life, Walt had enough money to indulge himself, and he contemplated buying a movie camera or a canoe. A girl friend urged him to buy a canoe, but he decided on the camera. He mounted it on a tripod in an alley and photographed himself in imitations of Charlie Chaplin. To please his friend, he joined another boy in buying an inexpensive canoe; it was so small and unwieldy that he and the girl were swept out into the lake on a windy Sunday.

By late summer, the Allies had stopped the Germans in the second battle of the Marne, and Marshal Foch bad ordered a counterattack. Walt grew more impatient to get in uniform, telling his parents, "I don't want my grandchildren asking me, 'Why weren't you in the war? Were you a slacker?' " The Navy had transferred Roy to Charleston, South Carolina, then assigned him to voyages between New York and France. Ray Disney had joined the Army. Walt wanted to take part in the same adventure; he couldn't conceive of returning to high school for another year. A friend at the post office, Russell Maas, shared his feelings. They decided to cross the border and enlist in the Canadian Army, which accepted younger recruits. Their plot was thwarted when Russell's mother discovered his packed suitcase; her son admitted the plan and she warned Flora Disney. One day Russell arrived at the post office and told Walt excitedly. "There' s something forming here that you and I can get into. It's a volunteer group called the American Ambulance Corps, part of the Red Cross. They need drivers, and they're not fussy about how old you are."

At noon, the two young men hurried to the headquarters of the American Red Cross. They learned the age limit for ambulance unit volunteers was seventeen. Both were sixteen, but they falsified their ages and applied as the St. John brothers, Russell and Walter. The ruse succeeded until the applications for passports which required their parents' signatures. Walt was forced to disclose his plan to his parents. "I will not sign any permission" Elias Disney declared. "It's signing a death warrant for my son."

Flora Disney argued that three of their sons had left the family home by stealth and she didn't want Walter to go the same way. "The boy is determined," she said "I would rather sign this and know where he is than have him run off."

"Well, you can sign it for me---I won't!" Elias replied, and he stalked from the room. Flora forged his name on the passport application, and Walt altered his birth date to read "1900." He and Russell Maas returned to the Red Cross, and their applications were accepted. The two boys received uniforms and reported to a tent encampment at a burned-down amusement park near the University of Chicago. Mechanics from the Yellow Cab Company taught them how to repair motors and drive cars over rough terrain.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

A bizarre occurence takes place at Disneyland when 750 "Hippies" and "Radical Yippies" infiltrate the park, and take over the Wilderness Fort. They raise the Vietcong flag and pass reefers out to passersbys.

Later, they march in a Main Street parade, and sing their own lyrics to "Zipadee Doo Dah" ("Ho, Ho, Ho Chi Mihn is going to win..."). More conservative park guests try to drown them out by singing "America the Beautiful." Before the confrontation can heat up, a platoon of Anaheim Police officers in full riot gear pour into the park from backstage areas! A riot is adverted and Disneyland vice president of Operations Dick Nunis orders the park closed at 7:10 PM. For many years afterward Disneyland will selectively enforced a "dress code" at the park, occasionally refusing admission to "long-haired hippies". (This unusual incident is the only time an outside security force has ever made a full-blown public appearance at the park.)

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Disneyland premiered its first fireworks presentation in 1956.
The show was actually created by hand - with employees touching off the
fuses with a flare! (A few years later, technology enabled fireworks to
be launched electronically and synchronized with a soundtrack.)

“MAGICAL” – FIREWORKS BY THE NUMBERS

The pyrotechnic devices are fully choreographed to “Magical’s” musical soundtrack, using 750 discreet digital control channels.

Guests see the burst of fireworks before hearing it because light travels roughly a million times faster than sound.

The Disney Air Launch system installed in 2004 creates less ground level smoke than the former system that used black powder.

Disney is recognized as the world’s largest producer of fixed-base
fireworks shows, at its parks in the United States, France, Japan and
China.

A SPARKLING HISTORY OF FIREWORKS AT DISNEYLAND

Disneyland opened to the public in July 1955. There was no fireworks show that year.

In 1956, after seeing fireworks tests in the Disneyland parking lot
when the park was closed, Walt Disney said, “Let’s give it a try.”

Mickey Aronson, who worked in Disneyland Resort Entertainment for
more than 50 years (originally as an outside fireworks consultant),
began “shooting” Disneyland fireworks the summer of 1956. In those days,
Aronson fired the show by hand, touching off the fuses with a flare.

Beginning in the late 1960s, Disneyland Entertainment developed a
system for firing the shells electronically, synchronized to a musical
soundtrack.

During this period, the fireworks “choreography” was storyboarded
like an animated cartoon. At one time, the storyboard artist was Roy
Williams, the “Big Mooseketeer” from “The Mickey Mouse Club.”

The current system, with its multiple fireworks launch sites,
special lighting and lasers, and high-tech marriage of music and
choreographed pyrotechnics, was first installed for the 2000
Bicentennial/Disneyland 45th Anniversary show, “Believe…There’s Magic in
the Stars.”

Elaborate
fireworks shows synchronized with Disney songs and often have
appearances from Tinker Bell or Dumbo, flying in the sky above Sleeping
Beauty Castle. Since 2000, presentations have become more elaborate,
featuring new pyrotechnics, launch techniques and story lines. In 2004,
Disneyland introduced a new air launch pyrotechnics system, reducing
ground level smoke and noise and decreasing negative environmental
impacts. At the time the technology debuted, Disney announced it would
donate the patents to a non-profit organization for use throughout the
industry.

* Regular Fireworks Show:

o 1958–1999 Fantasy in the Sky

o 2000–2004 Believe... There's Magic in the Stars

o 2004–2005 Imagine... A Fantasy in the Sky

o 2005–2010 Remember... Dreams Come True

* Special Fireworks Show:

o June 12, 2009 – September 20, 2009 Magical: An Exploding Celebration In The Sky

o September 25, 2009 – November 1, 2009 Halloween Screams

o November 13, 2009 – January 3, 2010 Believe... In Holiday Magic

Since 2009, Disneyland has moved to a rotating repertoire of firework spectaculars.

o Independence Day Week Disney's Celebrate America: A 4th of July Concert in the Sky

o Halloweentime Halloween Screams

o Holiday Believe... In Holiday Magic

During
the Holiday Season, there is a special fireworks presentation called
Believe... In Holiday Magic which has been running since 2000, except
for a short hiatus in 2005 during the park's 50th Celebration.

Scheduling
of fireworks shows depend on the time of year, during the slower
off-season periods, the fireworks are only offered on weekends. During
the busier times, Disney does offer additional nights, such as an extra
night for a 3 day holiday. Also, Disney does offer Fireworks nightly
during its busy periods, which includes Easter/Spring Break, Summer and
Christmas time.

The show is normally offered at 9:25
PM if the park is scheduled to close at 10 PM or later, but shows have
started as early as 5:45 PM. Also, a major consideration is
weather/winds, especially at higher elevations, which can force the
cancellation of the show. Disney usually waits an additional time (15
minutes) to see if the winds die down. Shows, with a few minor
exceptions, such as July 4 and New Year's Eve, must finish by 10 PM due
to the conditions of the permit issued by the City of Anaheim.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Princess Diaries was Julie Andrews first movie with Disney since Mary Poppins.

Anne Hathaway was hired for the role of Mia Thermopolis, a teenager who discovers that she is the heir to the throne of Genovia, because director Gary Marshall's granddaughters saw her audition tape and said she had the best "princess hair."

This Day in Disney History

2001:

Disney's romantic comedy The Princess Diaries, starring Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway, opens in theaters. Directed by Garry Marshall, it is a screen adaptation of Meg Cabot's 2000 novel of the same name.